Hayward Street Housing Development Open House

OPEN HOUSE EVENT TO CELEBRATE NEW HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS: Families in Transition (FIT) and Housing BeneFITs held an open house today for their newest housing property in Manchester, NH. The new facility houses families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Pictured (l. to r.) are Kevin Flynn, Community Development Finance Authority; Theresa Dolloff, Member of FIT Board of Directors; Barbara Fields, New England Regional Administrator, Department of Housing & Urban Development; Senator Donna Soucy, NH State Senate; Mayor Ted Gatsas, City of Manchester; Litizia Ortiz, Office of United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen; Maureen Beauregard, President, Families in Transition; William Shea, Alderman, City of Manchester; Rev. Gayle Murphy, Member of FIT Board of Directors; and Judy Bergeron, Chair of Housing BeneFITs Board of Directors.

FAMILIES IN TRANSITION AND HOUSING BENEFITS HOST OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW PROPERTY IN MANCHESTER

Six New Units of Affordable Housing Created

MANCHESTER, NH – Families in Transition (FIT), a Manchester, Concord and Dover, NH, based homeless services provider, and Housing BeneFITs, a nonprofit started by FIT to improve the supply and quality of affordable housing in New Hampshire, held an open house ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, to celebrate their Hayward Street Housing Development. The new facility consists of four two-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments for families and their children experiencing homelessness.

Nearly 50 people from Families in Transition, Housing BeneFITs, City of Manchester, Office of United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Community Development Finance Authority, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other community members attended the event. The construction of the facility was funded by Neighborhood Stabilization Funds through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development and the NH Community Development Finance Authority, as well as the City of Manchester Community Improvement Program.

“We’re excited to be able to provide more affordable housing opportunities to families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Manchester,” said Maureen Beauregard, Families in Transition President and Founder. “The lack of affordable housing plays a big factor in the number of people who are homeless. This property brings our total number of housing units to over 200, which still doesn’t come close to meeting the demand for the type of housing and services that we provide.”

Families in Transition is a nonprofit organization that provides safe, affordable housing and comprehensive social services to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, enabling them to gain self-sufficiency and respect. In 2009, FIT established Housing BeneFITs, an independent nonprofit and Community Based Housing Organization to improve the life for low- and moderate-income residents by increasing the supply and quality of affordable housing in New Hampshire. FIT also owns and operates two thrift stores in Manchester and Concord, NH, as well as a commercial cleaning company, FIT Cleaning Solutions, all of which serve as economic engines to help pay for services that FIT provides. For more information about FIT, Housing BeneFITs, the stores, and the commercial cleaning company visit www.fitnh.org or call 603-641-9441.